Future polls in Bamyan may face problems

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Future elections in central Bamyan province could face problems like insecurity on the border with northern Baghlan province, unawareness and damaged roads, the provincial Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief said on Monday.

Ali Shah Misbah told the oath-taking ceremony for the newly-elected provincial council members here that interferences by powerful individuals could undermine the democratic exercise in future.

A proper planning in collaboration with civil society groups, ulema and the media was needed to help resolve the challenges at hand, Misbah said, who hoped Bamyan would be leading other provinces in holding free and fair future elections.

Also present on the occasion was Governor Ghulam Ali Wahdat, who admitted there had been irregularities in the April vote, but the process had been more transparent in Bamyan than other provinces.

He called PC members a bridge between the government and the people and their role as important in pursuing development and good governance.

The acting governor said the government gave provinces in their control 40 percent of development budget. Therefore, the role of PC members was important to monitor projects and ensure that transparency was maintained in spending funds.

Assuring improved security, Bamyan police chief Brig. Gen. Khudayar Qudsi said only one incident took place during the previous elections. He said the security incident in Khamard district had been investigated.